Pocketed neck flap adapted for use with a hat having a hatband

ABSTRACT

A neck flap including a pocket which is affixed or adaptable for being affixed to a hat having a hatband. A hat including a hatband and a flap including a pocket affixed to a rear portion of the hatband. The flap includes one or more layers of fabric and a pocket layer connected to a layer of fabric forming a pocket adapted for retaining a flat article. The flap tapers from the rear portion of the hatband, laying between the ears of a wearer and extending towards the neck, and is adapted to fall above the collar bone of the wearer.

CLAIM OF PRIORITY

The present application claims the benefit of the filing date of U.S. Provisional Application No. 62/077,337 filed Nov. 10, 2014 which is incorporated by reference herein.

FIELD

The present teachings generally relate to a neck flap including a pocket which is affixed or adaptable for being affixed to a hat having a hatband. The present teachings further relate to a hat including a hatband and a flap including a pocket affixed to a rear portion of the hatband.

BACKGROUND

Head coverings which cover the head and neck are generally known. Head coverings may be used for protection against the weather. See for example, U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,161,259, 4,980928, and 5,649,327 incorporated by reference herein. Other head coverings may provide additional benefits, see for example, Canadian Patent Application No. 2085257 incorporated by reference herein. However, each one of these references suffers from one or more of the following disadvantages: requires adjustment of multiple straps, extends to the shoulders or below thereby restricting movement, does not allow the option of keeping the ears uncovered, and lacks aesthetic appeal.

Thus, there is a need for an article, which protects the neck area against environmental factors such as weather that is also aesthetically pleasing. There is a need for an article which protects the neck area without restricting movement of the wearer. There is a need for an article which protects the neck area while allowing the user the option of keeping the ears uncovered. There is also a need for an article which protects the neck area while providing additional benefits such as providing warmth and coolness to the user and providing an area on the article for embellishment purposes. The present teachings address one or more of the above needs.

SUMMARY

The present teachings contemplate an article comprising a flap including one or more layers of fabric and a pocket layer connected to a layer of fabric forming a pocket adapted for retaining a flat article. The flap is affixed or adaptable for being affixed to a hat having a hatband. The flap tapers from a rear portion of the hatband, laying between the ears of a wearer and extending towards the neck, and is adapted to fall above the collar bone of the wearer. The flap may include a support layer, an intermediate layer and a pocket layer. The interior side of a layer is the side facing the user. The exterior side of a layer is the side facing away from the user. A support layer of fabric may be connected to an exterior side of an intermediate layer of fabric and a pocket layer of fabric may be connected to an interior side of the intermediate layer of fabric forming a pocket adjacent to the head and neck of a wearer. The pocket may be adapted for retaining a temperature packet.

The present teachings also contemplate an article comprising a hat including a hatband and a flap affixed to a rear portion of the hatband. The flap includes one or more layers of fabric and a pocket layer connected to a layer of fabric forming a pocket adapted for retaining a flat article. The flap tapers from the rear portion of the hatband, laying between the ears of a wearer and extending towards the neck, and is adapted to fall above the collar bone of the wearer. The flap may include a support layer of fabric connected to an exterior side of an intermediate layer of fabric and a pocket layer of fabric connected to an interior side of the intermediate layer of fabric forming a pocket adjacent to the head and neck of wearer. The flat article may be a temperature packet.

At least one layer of fabric may include an insulating material. At least one layer of fabric may include a moisture repelling material. At least one layer of fabric may include an enhanced material for self-protection purposes including para-aramid material, fire-resistant material or insect repelling material. A layer of fabric may include an embellished area. The exterior side of the support layer may include an area for embellishment.

The pocket includes a pocket opening. The pocket opening may be along a side edge of the pocket layer. The pocket opening may be along a top edge of the pocket layer. An embodiment may include a pocket closure on the interior pocket. The pocket closure may be elastic.

The flap is adapted for concealing into an underside of the hat. During concealment, a layer of the flap may be adjacent to the head of a wearer. The hat may be permanently affixed to the rear portion of the hatband of the hat. The hat may be removably affixed to the rear portion of the hatband of the hat.

The flap provides protection of the neck area against environmental factors such as weather and is also aesthetically pleasing. The flap provides protection of the neck area without restricting movement of the wearer. The flap provides protection of the neck area while allowing the user the option of keeping the ears uncovered. The flap provides protection of the neck area while providing additional benefits such as providing warmth and coolness to the user and providing an area for embellishment purposes.

The present teachings promote and result in well-being, health and economic benefits. The present teachings encourage regular outdoor use with flaps acting as proactive self-defense against skin damage/cancer. The present teachings serve as a barrier to environmental factors such as moisture (rain/snow) or sun. The present teachings provide added comfort with the utilization of a personal-sized temperature packet (hot or cold) in the flap pocket. The present teachings also provide a level of protection for individuals such as emergency or security personnel with the use of enhanced fabrics/materials. The present teachings allow the flap to be fully concealed into the hat when the pocket is empty and the flap is no longer needed.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF FIGURES

FIG. 1 illustrates a rear perspective view of one embodiment of a hat including a hatband and a flap;

FIG. 2 illustrates a front perspective view of one embodiment of a hat including a hatband and a flap with the pocket;

FIG. 3 illustrates an enlarged view of one embodiment of a pocketed flap;

FIG. 4 illustrates a perspective view of one embodiment of a hat with an attached neck flap with a pocket;

FIG. 5 illustrates a sectional view across a frontal plane of one embodiment of a hat including a flap and the support layer attached to a hatband;

FIG. 6 illustrates a sectional view across a frontal plane of one embodiment of a hat including a flap and the intermediate layer;

FIG. 7 illustrates a sectional view across a frontal plane of one embodiment of a hat including a flap and the pocket layer; and

FIG. 8 illustrates an enlarged view of one embodiment of the neck flap pocket and the temperature packet.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The explanations and illustrations presented herein are intended to acquaint others skilled in the art with the invention, its principles, and its practical application. The specific embodiments of the present invention as set forth are not intended to be exhaustive or limiting of the invention. The scope of the invention should be determined with reference to the appended claims, along with the full scope of equivalents to which such claims are entitled. The disclosures of all articles and references, including patent applications and publications, are incorporated by reference for all purposes. Other combinations are also possible as will be gleaned from the following claims, which are also hereby incorporated by reference into this written description.

The present teachings provide for a neck flap including a pocket which is affixed or adaptable for being affixed to a hat having a hatband. The flap may include a support layer of fabric, an intermediate layer of fabric, and a pocket layer of fabric. The flap includes a pocket adapted for retaining a flat article, such as a temperature packet. When affixed to the hat, the flap tapers from the rear portion of the hatband, laying between the ears of a wearer and extending towards the neck, and is adapted to fall above the collar bone of the wearer. The flap may cover the back of the neck of the wearer as discussed herein. The present teachings further provide for a hat including a hatband and a flap including a pocket affixed to a rear portion of the hatband.

The hat may be any type of hat including a hatband to which the flap can be affixed. The hat may or may not cover the top of the head. The term hat as used herein includes caps. The hat may be a baseball-type hat including a crown and a peak. The hat may be a sports visor with a hatband to which the flap is affixed.

The flap includes at least one layer of fabric. The flap may be comprised of a support layer of fabric, an intermediate layer of fabric and a pocket layer of fabric.

The flap may include at least one support layer of fabric. The support layer of fabric is connected to the intermediate layer of fabric. The support layer of fabric may be connected to the intermediate layer of fabric along the sides, top and bottom. The support layer of fabric provides structural integrity for the other layers. For example, the support layer of fabric may be comprised of a polyester blend.

The exterior portion of the flap that is visible to others may include an embellished area. The embellished area of the flap can be used as a platform for a diverse number of embellishments. For example, team logos, company sponsorships, position titles, and/or names may be included on the exterior portion of the flap. The embellishment may be applied to the exterior portion of the flap. The embellishment may be embroidered, printed, silkscreened, or an appended patch on the exterior portion of the flap.

The flap may include at least one intermediate layer of fabric. The intermediate layer of fabric is connected to the support layer of fabric and the pocket layer of fabric. The intermediate layer of fabric may be connected to the support layer of fabric along the sides, top and bottom. The exterior side of the intermediate layer of fabric faces the interior side of the support layer of fabric. The interior side of the intermediate layer of fabric faces the exterior side of the pocket layer of fabric. The intermediate layer of fabric may be adjacent a wearer's head and neck.

The intermediate layer of fabric may provide comfort to the wearer. For, example the exterior side of the intermediate layer may be situated against the interior side of the support layer, thereby serving as a barrier between any friction and discomfort from the support layer or any embellishment located on the support layer of fabric. The use of an intermediate layer of fabric may allow softer fabric to be positioned adjacent the wearer's head and neck. The intermediate layer of fabric provides a location for affixation of the pocket layer. For example, the intermediate layer of fabric may be comprised of spandex/elastane (a polyester-polyurethane copolymer) or any other synthetic stretchable fabric.

The flap may include at least one pocket layer of fabric. The pocket layer of fabric may have the same or different dimensions as the intermediate layer of fabric. The pocket layer of fabric is connected to the intermediate layer of fabric thereby forming a pocket. The pocket may be lined. The pocket is located on the interior side of the flap. The pocket may be located on the lower interior portion of the flap. The pocket layer provides support for holding and retaining a flat article. The pocket layer may provide comfort to the wearer.

The pocket includes a pocket opening. The pocket opening may be along a side edge of the pocket layer, or a top edge of the pocket layer. The pocket opening may be along part or all of an edge such that a flat article can be inserted and retained in the pocket.

The pocket may include a closure. The pocket closure may be at the edged opening of the pocket. The pocket closure ensures that the flat article such as a temperature packet, stays in the pocket until removed. The pocket closure may be along the top edge of the pocket or a side edge of the pocket. The pocket closure may include fasteners that allows the user to open and close the pocket. For example, the pocket closure may include elastic, hook and loop fastener, a button or a snap. In some embodiments, the pocket closure is an elastic closure. The elastic closure may be located along the top edge of the pocket opening. The elastic closure may be located along a side edge of the pocket opening.

The pocket may not include a closure. The pocket layer may be comprised of an elastic material which retains the flat article in the pocket. The pocket layer may include any suitable stretchable material. For example, the pocket layer of fabric may be comprised of spandex/elastane (a polyester-polyurethane copolymer) or any other synthetic stretchable fabric.

The pocket layer may be a different size as the intermediate layer and include a pocket opening along a side edge of the pocket layer or along the top edge of the pocket layer. A portion of the intermediate layer may be adjacent a wearer's head and neck and the entire pocket layer may be adjacent a wearer's head and neck. The pocket layer may be the same size as the intermediate layer and include a pocket opening along the top edge of the pocket layer. The entire pocket layer may be adjacent a wearer's head and neck.

The pocket is adapted for retaining a flat article. The flat article may be a temperature packet, billfold, identification card, credit card, folded paper currency, coins, photo, small cell phone and/or key.

The flat article may be a temperature packet. The temperature packet may include a flexible polymer casing. The temperature packet may include a solid, liquid, and/or gel material enclosed within a casing. The enclosed materials may provide warmth. The enclosed materials may provide coolness. The temperature packet may be a hot packet, thereby providing warmth to the user. The temperature packet may be a cold packet, thereby providing coolness to the user. For example, the user may insert a hot packet during the winter or a cold packet during the summer. The pocketed neck flap protects the neck area while the temperature packet insert provides additional benefits such as providing warmth or coolness to the user.

The size of the temperature packet may vary depending on the size of the pocket. The temperature packet may be a personal size temperature packet. The temperature packet may be of a sufficient size so as to be inserted into the pocket of the flap. The temperature packet may be produced to be size appropriate for the pocket of the flap or the pocket may be configured to accommodate the temperature packet. The flap tapers from the rear portion of the hatband, laying between the ears of a wearer and extending towards the neck. The flap covers the neck to just behind the ears. The taper follows the natural headline. The taper of the flap is sufficient to cover the area between the ears without touching the ears and also cover the neck area. The flap may not cover the ears of the wearer. It is contemplated that separate ear flaps may be adapted for use with the present teachings. Thus, the present teachings protect the neck area while allowing the wearer the option of keeping the ears covered or uncovered.

The flap is constructed so that it is slightly tapered from the edge of the hatband to the lower edge of the flap. The flap is adapted to fall above the collar bone of the wearer. The length of the flap may extend to above the collar bone. The length of the flap may extend to the collar bone. The length of the may not extend beyond the collar bone. The tapered construction of the hat allows the wearer to more easily fold the flap into the hat if desired.

The flap is adapted for concealing into an underside of the hat. During concealment, a layer of the flap may be adjacent to the top of the head of a wearer. During concealment, a layer of the flap may be adjacent to the back of the head of a wearer. During concealment, a layer of the flap may be adjacent to both the back and the top of the head of a wearer. The flap may be fully concealed when folded into the hat. It is contemplated that there may be no temperature packet in the flap pocket when the flap is folded into the hat.

The hat may be any type of hat including a hatband. The present teachings may include hatbands in which a portion of the hatband is adjustable. For example, the hatband may include an aperture in the hatband with a hook and loop adjustment portion. However, a hatband with adjustment portion including a plastic strap with a series of nubs and a corresponding plastic strap with a series of holes may not be suitable with the present teachings.

The flap is affixed to a rear portion of the hatband. The flap may be affixed to an interior side of the rear portion of the hatband of the hat, the exterior side of the rear portion of the hatband of the hat, or between two layers fabric or materials of the rear portion of the hatband of the hat.

The flap may be permanently affixed to the rear portion of the hatband of the hat. The permanent affixation of the flap to the hat may occur during or after hat manufacture. The flap may be connected to the hat in any manner that permanently affixes the flap to the hatband. The flap may be permanently affixed by sewing, gluing or cementing the flap to the rear portion of the hatband of the hat. The flap may be permanently affixed by plastic staples.

The flap may be adapted for removal from the hat. The flap may be removably affixed to the rear portion of the hatband of the hat. The flap may be removably affixed by any suitable fasteners. For example, the flap may be removably affixed by hook and loop fasteners, snaps, buttons, or reusable, detachable adhesive. The removable nature of the flap may allow the flap to be utilized with headwear that is not suitable to the folding of the flap, such as golf-type hats. The removal nature the flap may allow the flap to be utilized with headwear that includes an adjustment or “ponytail” hole in the back of some types of hats. The flap may be attached to the hat in any manner which enhances the comfort of the wearer and the desired function of the flap.

The flap can be made from a variety of fabrics and materials. The flap may include a combination of fabrics and materials. The support layer, intermediate layer, and pocket layer may be comprised of the same or different types of fabric. In some embodiments, the support layer and the intermediate layer are comprised of different types of fabric. In some embodiments, the pocket layer is comprised of the same types or different types of fabric as the intermediate layer.

The support layer of fabric may be constructed from any type of fabric which provides support. The intermediate layer of fabric may be constructed of any type of fabric which provides comfort and/or support for the pocket layer. The pocket layer may be composed of any type of fabric which may provide comfort and/or support for the flat article.

At least one layer of layer of fabric may include a reflective material. At least one layer of fabric may include synthetic fibers. At least one layer of fabric may include an elastane material. At least one layer of fabric may include a moisture repelling material. At least one layer of fabric may include a moisture wicking material. At least one layer of fabric may include an insulating material. For example, the neck flap can be configured for colder weather at the time of manufacture by lining it with a thin insulation material or by creating an insulation sleeve for a hot packet.

At least one layer of fabric may include an enhanced material for self-protection purposes. The enhanced material for self-protection purposes may include para-aramid material. The enhanced material for self-protection purposes may include fire-resistant material. The enhanced material for self-protection purposes may include an insect repelling material.

All parts of the flap can be fabricated in different sizes. The flap sizes may include small, medium and large. The flap may be include adult and child versions. The flap may include male and female versions. The color or colors of the fabrics and materials may vary.

FIG. 1 illustrates a rear perspective view of one embodiment of a hat including a hatband and a flap. A hat 50 which includes a crown 70 and a peak 80 connected to the front portion of the crown 70 is depicted. The hat 50 includes a hatband 60 and a flap 100 including at least one layer of fabric 105 affixed to a rear portion of the hatband 60. The layer of fabric 105 may include an embellished area 107 (embellishment not shown).

FIG. 2 illustrates a front perspective view of one embodiment of a hat including a hatband and a flap with the pocket. A hat 50 which includes a crown 70 and a peak 80 connected to the front portion of the crown 70 is depicted. The hat 50 includes a hatband 60 and a flap 100 including at least one layer of fabric 105 affixed to a rear portion of the hatband 60 and a pocket layer 130 connected to at least one layer of fabric 105 forming a pocket 150. The pocket 150 includes a pocket opening 160 located along a side edge 152 of the pocket 150. The pocket opening 160 includes an elastic closure 175.

FIG. 3 illustrates an enlarged view of one embodiment of a pocketed flap. The flap 100 includes a support layer of fabric 110 (not shown) connected to an intermediate layer of fabric 120 and a pocket layer of fabric 130 connected to the intermediate layer of fabric 120 forming a pocket 150 along an interior side 122 of the intermediate layer 120. The pocket layer 130 is connected to the intermediate layer 120 along a side edge, top edge and bottom edge by stitching 200. The pocket 150 includes a pocket opening 160 located along an opposing side edge 152 of the pocket 150. The pocket may include a pocket closure 170. The pocket closure may be an elastic closure 175.

FIG. 4 illustrates a perspective view of one embodiment of a hat with an attached neck flap with a pocket. A hat 50 which includes a crown 70 and a peak 80 connected to the front portion of the crown 70 is depicted. The flap 100 is affixed to a hat 50 including a hatband 60. The flap 100 includes a support layer 110 (not shown), an intermediate layer 120 (not shown), and a pocket layer 130. The support layer of fabric 110 is connected to an intermediate layer of fabric 120 along the sides, top and bottom. The pocket layer of fabric 130 is connected to the intermediate layer of fabric 120 along the side edges and bottom edge forming a pocket 150 with an opening located along a top edge 154 of the pocket 150.

FIG. 5 illustrates a sectional view across a frontal plane of one embodiment of a hat including a flap and the support layer attached to a hatband. The flap 100 includes a support layer 110 which is affixed to a rear portion of the hatband 60 of hat 50. The interior side of the support layer 110 is depicted. The exterior side of the support layer 110 may include an embellished area 107 (not shown).

FIG. 6 illustrates a sectional view across a frontal plane of one embodiment of a hat including a flap and the intermediate layer. The flap 100 includes an intermediate layer 120 which is connected to the support layer 110 of FIG. 5 and is affixed to a rear portion of the hatband 60 of hat 50. The interior side of the intermediate layer 110 is depicted.

FIG. 7 illustrates a sectional view across a frontal plane of one embodiment of a hat including a flap and the pocket layer. The flap 100 includes a pocket layer 130 which is connected to the intermediate layer 120 of FIG. 6 and forms a pocket 150. The interior side of the pocket layer 130 and a portion (a) of the interior side the intermediate layer 120 is depicted.

FIG. 8 illustrates an enlarged view of one embodiment of the neck flap pocket and the temperature packet. The flap 100 includes a support layer of fabric 110 connected to an intermediate layer of fabric 120 and a pocket layer of fabric 130 connected to the intermediate layer of fabric 120 forming a pocket 150. The intermediate layer 120 is connected to the support layer 110 along all the edges by stitching 200(a). The pocket layer 130 is connected to the intermediate layer 120 along both side edges and the bottom edge by stitching 200(b). The pocket 150 includes a pocket opening 160 located along the top edge 154 of the pocket 150. The pocket 150 is adapted to retain a temperature packet 300.

The disclosures of all articles and references, including patent applications and publications, are incorporated by reference for all purposes. The term “consisting essentially of” to describe a combination shall include the elements, ingredients, components or steps identified, and such other elements ingredients, components or steps that do not materially affect the basic and novel characteristics of the combination. The use of the terms “comprising” or “including” to describe combinations of elements, ingredients, components or steps herein also contemplates embodiments that consist essentially of or even consists of the elements, ingredients, components or steps.

Plural elements, ingredients, components or steps can be provided by a single integrated element, ingredient, component or step. Alternatively, a single integrated element, ingredient, component or step might be divided into separate plural elements, ingredients, components or steps. The disclosure of “a” or “one” to describe an element, ingredient, component or step is not intended to foreclose additional elements, ingredients, components or steps.

It is understood that the above description is intended to be illustrative and not restrictive. Many embodiments as well as many applications besides the examples provided will be apparent to those of skill in the art upon reading the above description. The scope of the invention should, therefore, be determined not with reference to the above description, but should instead be determined with reference to the appended claims, along with the full scope of equivalents to which such claims are entitled. The disclosures of all articles and references, including patent applications and publications, are incorporated by reference for all purposes. The omission in the following claims of any aspect of subject matter that is disclosed herein is not a disclaimer of such subject matter, nor should it be regarded that the inventor did not consider such subject matter to be part of the disclosed inventive subject matter. 

I claim:
 1. An article comprising: a flap including: a) one or more layers of fabric; and b) a pocket layer connected to a layer of fabric forming a pocket adapted for retaining a flat article; and wherein the flap is affixed or adaptable for being affixed to a hat having a hatband and tapers from a rear portion of the hatband, laying between the ears of a wearer and extending towards the neck, and is adapted to fall above the collar bone of the wearer.
 2. The article of claim 1 including a support layer of fabric connected to an exterior side of an intermediate layer of fabric and a pocket layer of fabric connected to an interior side of the intermediate layer of fabric forming a pocket adjacent to the head and neck of wearer adapted for retaining a temperature packet.
 3. The article of claim 2, wherein an exterior side of the support layer of fabric includes an embellished area.
 4. The article of claim 1, wherein the flap is adapted for concealing into an underside of the hat and during concealment a layer of the flap is adjacent to the head of the wearer.
 5. The article of claim 1, wherein at least one layer of fabric includes insulating material, moisture repelling material, enhanced material for self-protection purposes, or an insect repelling material.
 6. The article of claim 1, wherein a pocket opening is along a side edge or along a top edge of the pocket layer.
 7. The article of claim 1, wherein the pocket includes a closure.
 8. An article comprising: a hat including a hatband and a flap affixed to a rear portion of the hatband; wherein the flap includes: a) one or more layers of fabric; and b) a pocket layer connected to a layer of fabric forming a pocket adapted for retaining a flat article; and wherein the flap tapers from the rear portion of the hatband, laying between the ears of a wearer and extending towards the neck, and is adapted to fall above the collar bone of the wearer.
 9. The article of claim 8 including a support layer of fabric connected to an exterior side of an intermediate layer of fabric and a pocket layer of fabric connected to an interior side of the intermediate layer of fabric forming a pocket adjacent to the head and neck of wearer.
 10. The article of claim 8, wherein the flat article is a temperature packet.
 11. The article of claim 8, wherein the flap is adapted for concealing into an underside of the hat and during concealment a layer of the flap is adjacent to the head of a wearer.
 12. The article of claim 8, wherein at least one layer of fabric includes material selected from the group consisting of: insulating material, moisture repelling material, enhanced material for self-protection purposes, and an insect repelling material or combinations thereof.
 13. The article of claim 9, wherein an exterior side of the support layer of fabric includes an embellished area.
 14. The article of claim 8, wherein the flap is permanently affixed to the rear portion of the hatband of the hat by sewing or gluing the flap to the rear portion of the hatband of the hat.
 15. The article of claim 8, wherein the flap is removably affixed to the rear portion of the hatband of the hat.
 16. The article of claim 8, wherein the hat is a baseball-type hat.
 17. An article comprising: a hat including a hatband and a flap affixed to the rear portion of the hatband; wherein the flap includes: a) a support layer of fabric connected to an exterior side of an intermediate layer of fabric; b) a pocket layer of fabric connected to an interior side of the intermediate layer of fabric, forming a pocket sufficient for holding a temperature packet; and c) an elastic closure on the interior pocket sufficient for retaining a temperature packet in the pocket; and wherein the flap tapers from the rear portion of the hatband, laying between the ears of a wearer and extending towards the neck, and is adapted to fall above the collar bone of the wearer; and wherein the flap is adapted for concealing into an underside of the hat and during concealment a layer of the flap is adjacent to the head of the wearer.
 18. The article of claim 17, wherein an exterior side of the support layer of fabric includes an embellished area.
 19. The article of claim 17, wherein at least one layer of fabric includes material selected from the group consisting of: insulating material, moisture repelling material, enhanced material for self-protection purposes, and an insect repelling material or combinations thereof.
 20. A system comprising the article of claim 17 and a temperature packet for retaining in the pocket of the flap. 